438 Two Sides
“Who is that person?”
“How did he suddenly appear here…”
From afar, martial artists in the outer city watched a figure abruptly emerge from the front of the army formation, causing chills to run down their spines.
Tang Xinglong scrutinized Qin Huai, who had materialized out of nowhere, a flicker of intrigue crossing his eyes. “This man’s aura is slightly peculiar,” he remarked.
“Young Master, what makes you say that?” asked Gao He from behind, who could only detect the stranger’s extraordinary strength.
The newcomer seemed to be a future king at his peak. Even though Xiang Mingfeng and others behind him were not even half as strong, they should have been able to match him in a short period.
“My king’s force seems to be resonating,” Tang Xinglong replied, licking his lips. The man before him surely possessed some treasure. Perhaps it was a guardian spirit item, something perfectly compatible with his king’s force and cultivation technique.
At this, Gao He’s eyes sparkled with surprise. “Do you want me to…”
“No need! If I desire something, I’ll obtain it myself,” Tang Xinglong cut him off, his eyes radiating absolute confidence.
As long as they were within Qingzhou City’s boundaries, he, Tang Xinglong, feared no future king. He was the only king in Qingzhou. A decade ago, the Emperor of Qingzhou reigned. A decade later, Tang Xinglong aspired to fill that position.
With a wave of his hand, Tang Xinglong dispatched two gray-robed martial artists toward the battlefield.
On the battlefield, Qin Huai’s imperial might was profound, blanketing the entire fifty-meter radius. The black dragon world had not been activated, but the emperor’s force alone already suppressed the life force of many present great blood-refining martial artists. Their armor seemed to possess some unique ability to negate the king’s force, but unfortunately, Qin Huai was using the emperor’s force.
“That man is the one who obtained the emperor’s inheritance!” A few martial artists standing behind Xiang Mingfeng pointed at Qin Huai, shouting.
One of them was moving towards the army, likely in an attempt to prove his innocence. “We can all testify that he is the successor. We all witnessed.”
“Yes, Prefecture Overseer, just execute this Zhou Cunzhong! We are not involved,” the martial artists chimed in, understanding the situation. They all surrendered to the Qingzhou guards, pledging their loyalty.
“Brother Zhou risked his life to save us, yet you betray him?” Fang Huo’s tone shifted drastically. A roar resembling a lion’s echoed from his throat, the force rippling outwards, resonating dozens of meters into the sky.
Bang!
The heart of the middle-aged man who had been yelling the loudest was pierced. He dropped to the ground, lifeless. Fang Huo’s unexpected attack altered the expressions of those fleeing in panic.
Fang Huo, an older man with a severe expression, addressed the crowd, “Young man, you heard it too. The so-called Emperor of Qingzhou you speak of is actually a demon. We have been ensnared in the bronze realm for decades, falling prey to the machinations of this demon…”
Before Fang Huo could complete his sentence, Yang Tianhan interrupted, “Over the past ten thousand years, how many prodigies have met their end here? The origin of the ailment that has weakened our Qingzhou for years is this demon! Indeed, it’s uncertain whether Zhou Cunzhong received the inheritance of the demon or was possessed by him. Regardless, he must be eliminated.”
“Hmph!” Le Ji’an scoffed at Yang Tianhan. “If my memory serves me right, in the illusion realm, you claimed to be destined to the emperor. You might be the only martial artist who has discovered the key to the bronze realm in the past ten thousand years. Considering this, who knows if you have some unsavory connection with the so-called Demon of Qingzhou?”
“You… Don’t defame me!” Yang Tianhan’s hair stood on end in response to the allegation. This kind of accusation couldn’t be taken lightly, as it could result in a death sentence.
“But ultimately, Zhou Cunzhong acquired everything. He’s the only one to blame. As long as Zhou Cunzhong is eliminated, we don’t have to die,” voices chimed in agreement.
Most of them belonged to the older prodigies, who had been trapped in the bronze realm for decades or even centuries, causing significant shifts in their mental states. No longer as passionate or fiery as their younger selves, they yearned to live, see their families, and enjoy the rest of their lives.
“You guys have grown old and confused.” Xu Tong of the Blue Sea Pavilion shook his head. “Our only chance of survival is to support Brother Zhou and wait for reinforcements from various sects.”
It was clear to him that the Qingzhou guards aimed to seize this opportunity to annihilate them and weaken the power of different sects. After all, the two to three thousand people present were either former or current prodigies of Qingzhou, all possessing at least three full patterns. And presently, they were at their weakest.
“You haven’t been trapped in the bronze realm for decades, of course, you’d say that!” someone retorted anxiously.
The two to three thousand prodigies immediately divided into two camps. Most of the older ones, led by Yang Tianhan, sided with those advocating for Qin Huai’s execution.
Fang Huo and Xu Tong led the younger group, siding with Qin Huai. It mattered little whether the bronze realm’s ruler was a demon or not. Survival was their only concern.
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